@JuliaGoolia719 You're fine Moderation is key. I've been eating ham and cheese throughout this pregnancy - not heated. And hot dogs every other week at Costco. SO many foods can contain listeria (hello, produce!) and we aren't told to skip out on that.
I remember during my last pregnancy I ate hummus that then 3 weeks later had been recalled for Listeria. Then I had ice cream from Jeni’s (twice) and then a week later there was a Listeria recall. I never had any problems. And I still eat the Sabra hummus and Jenis ice cream (whenever I’m in town they really need to open one outside of Nashville and by me).
@maueraa07 sorry so late to the game but wanted to chime in. I had a copper IUD placed when I was 19 and it lasted me all the way till I had it removed to start trying for this little one. The first week and the first cycle after was the hardest with me but afterwards I was IN LOVE. If I ever do birth control again it will be another copper IUD. I love not having to remember a pill, and the length of how long it would be good for was such a reassurance. Also, I’m crazy enough as it is, adding hormones to my life is just not an option.
@leeeahyo, DD1 started pre school two weeks after DD2's arrival. She couldn't have done better! She loved having something that was all about her.
@auntieraindrop, we had two boxers (and a cat) when DD1 was born. I definitely didn't love them any less, but they definitely didn't get as much attention as they were accustomed to. They both passed not long after DD2's arrival and we haven't gotten a new dog because of the guilt I felt regarding how much their lives changed once the girls came into our lives. The cat pretty much just tries to stay away from the girls.
@kelk5, I never bought specialized nursing shirts. I just wore a tank top under my shirt, so when I pulled my shirt up to nurse my stomach wasn't showing. I had nursing tanks and nursing bras, though I didn't usually wear the tank out of the house. They just didn't provide enough support for my preferences.
We're going the permanent BC route. Three is enough for us.
@missblaze , we're not told to skip fruits and vegetables because 1) they're nutritional and 2) washing it takes care of the listeria fear. We're told to skip lunch meat because while heating it kills listeria it still lacks any nutritional value whatsoever.
@BelhurstBride Yes and no. With sprouts, the risk for listeria (and other bacteria) is not eliminated by washing (hence why it is a specific item we are told not to eat at all). And while hot dogs and lunch meat are not seen as "healthy," ham is a good source of protein and iron. In the 1st trimester ham was, at times, the only protein I got (from meat). Again, moderation.
@supercoolstephy omg Jeni’s is my jam! I looovvveeeee it! Anytime I meet driving to the east coast for work I stop in Columbus orvthe surrounding suburbs (that’s where it started) a d if im in Nashville visiting friends I make her go everytime lol!
What diaper bags do you all swear by? I know there has been some discussion in the past, but I don't know where we talked about it. My current diaper bag is slowly falling apart, so I'm in the market for a new one. I know that I want a backpack (cross body and shoulder bags KILL my back), but I don't want it to look like a "school backpack" if that makes sense. I have been looking at the JuJuBe BFF backpack, but have heard mixed reviews. I like the shape/look of that one though (even though I don't love all of the prints). Anyways, what diaper bags do you all LOVE??
@cyanope Thats the one I have on my list. I still want to look at it in the store before I buy it. I really like the LilyJade bags, they're beautiful, but I can't justify the $300+ for it right now.
@cyanope I also have a fawn design bag. I like it but it’s floppy which I don’t like. It was one of their earlier versions. They might be sturdier these days.
@cyanope lily jade is my day-to-day bag, and I love that it doesn't look backpack-y/diaper bag-y. When we're doing all day events (like the fair, festivals, disney) I have the JuJuBe BRB which I really love, super functional and comfortable. Mine is pretty basic just black and white stripes.
Edited: Like @supercoolstephy I mixed up the BRB and BFF too! oops!
DS1: Nov. 2013 DS2: Jan. 2016 DS3: Dec. 2017 Baby #4 on the way!
I LOVE Fawn Design bags, @supercoolstephy, but my fear (and why I didn't buy one with DD) is that they're more "fashionable" than practical. Have you found that to be the case? Haha...I seriously just "pinned" that bag about an hour ago, @burnsmommy27!
@cyanope I can't put a water bottle in the side pockets because it gets stuck trying to put it in there, and I wish the outside big pocket was zippered so I wouldn't worry AS much about someone trying to steal my wallet or phone from it since it would take more of an effort. The inside is very functional though... just wish mine sat up better, which is why I'm looking at the JJB bags because they sit up well and all my friends are obsessed with them. The other bag I had been looking at is the Freshly Picked diaper bag. I originally backed them for the kickstarter but cancelled it because I just couldn't decide if I loved it enough, if I decide I want it then I'll just pay the extra $50 and know that I want it after I read others reviews.
@cyanope I just reread your post and I meant to say that I'm looking at the JJB BRB not the BFF. I've heard the BFF is a great bag but I don't like the shape of it as much and I heard you can fit more into the BRB.
I'm like super obnoxiously posting right now, sorry. I like this bag too, it had big pockets, a strap to not look like a diaper bag, and a back pack to wear it too. I'm in a Facebook group for diapers bags because I'm a weirdo. So I've been seeing a bunch of new ones. It's called Diaper Bag Addicts B/S/T.
My plan is this LL Bean lightweight tote with their diaper bag organizer insert OR I also thought this is the backpack that every Maine child takes to kindergarten pretty much, so I thought about getting one and monogramming it for baby. They last forever, I still have mine that I got in elementary school.
I registered for this one and looks like someone already bought it woohoo lol. I liked it in the store and I’m slightly obsessed with camo so it was a no brainer even with a Baby Girl! It comes in other colors too, but when we looked at it my FI liked it too, which makes it less “girly” and acceptable for him to carry it also haha.
We just received some bottles someone purchased from off our registry - yay! I'm kind of confused by the care instructions, so I googled it but still wanted to ask for extra clarification. Are you supposed to wash, and then sanitize, the bottles as two separate steps after each use? Meaning, if I were to wash the bottles by hand or in the dishwasher, do I then need to sterilize them with a bottle sterilizer or boiling water? Or is the second step moreso just before the initial use and then on a somewhat regular basis - or do you sterilize them every time?
The instructions also mentioned for best results to replace the nipples every two months. Do you find that this is accurate for you? I plan on breastfeeding and only using the bottles a couple days a week once I go back to work... I'm wondering if less usage will result in less wear and tear or if that's just the standard recommendation! Sorry if my wording is confusing, thanks for your help ladies!
@RookieAlert We didn't sterilize. I had a thing to put in the microwave for that purpose and never used it. I would wash immediately, and then put it in the dishwasher to wash. We had enough bottles to get us through a few days though. As far as the nipples, we didn't replace every 2 months, but changed when we needed to increase the size for more of a flow. DS would tell us when he needed a bigger size, feeding would take a very long time and he would be angry and fussy because he was wanting it faster.
@RookieAlert I washed my bottles in soap and water. I would occasionally sterilize bottles or nipples in boiling water every other week when I was sterilizing pump parts. I don't think you need to sterilize bottles, but I did it when they started to look cloudy or gross (to me). Definitely never replaced nipples. Pacis on the other hand, got sterilized and replaced regularly because that shizz is nasty (and a safety hazard - the rubber nipple can break down and crack, coming off and choking your LO if you keep them around too long).
@RookieAlert, I second everything @supercoolstephy says. I also had the sterilizer contraption, and used it for like, the first week. I just made sure to clean the bottle immediately after use with super hot water and lots of soap. Life is busy. Sterilizing takes extra time that I just don't have. I know some people are pretty religious about sterilizing though, so I'm sure you'll get mixed answers, but I never had any issues with my method! Also, I didn't replace the nipples on a time schedule, just as DD seemed to need the "faster flow" ones.
So I never had heard about needing to replace the bottle nipples at all. I guess I just never thought to look into it, but I just assumed that since my son’s bottles from 2 years ago were barley used and in great shape, I could just wash/sanitize and reuse everything. I also was planning on just sanitizing some of his old pacifiers. Is that super gross? I feel dumb lol
@steph30032 For this LO we are planning on using the same bottles as DD but will be buying new nipples. The plastic wears down over time, so we'll replace them.
@steph30032 Like I said above, throw out those pacifiers! You're supposed to throw them away every few months because the rubber breaks down and can be a choking hazard.
@RookieAlert I always sterilized new things. After that I only religiously sterilized my pump parts and any bottles that went to work with me. I was working in a hospital so I was super paranoid about all the germs there. I liked the medela microwave bags for sterilizing. They are super cheap and can be used like 20 times each. I probably would have been the same about pacifiers as @missblaze if DS took them at a young age. He started at about 7 months so I just wash them frequently and throw them out as soon as they look even slightly gross.
I never sterilized my bottles after the first time. It was way too much of a PITA for me to do every day. DS are from the Medela bottles without a problem so I had 2 sets plus a couple of spares, and every day we sent the previous day's pumped milk to daycare. Then I washed them with hot soapy water every night. I had a Munchkin bottle brush with the sponge on top and it was way better than the generic grocery store one without. I also had to switch from my hippie dish soap to Blue Dawn to really feel like I was getting them clean. I didn't feel like the dishwasher did a very good job. I'm a slacker on sterilizing DS's binks except when something happens to them. We had (and still have in storage) a ton of the smaller age ones - I was gonna reuse them for LO but this has reminded me that I should check them over first. I never really found that DS cracked the nipples until after he got teeth, and those got tossed when we noticed wear.
I just soaked the bottles in hot soapy water but didn't sterilize. I recently purchased one of those plastic containers you can throw bottle parts/nipples/pacis/pump parts/etc (munchkin brand) in the dishwasher so I won't have to handwash all the parts. We use Dr Browns bottles plus I'll have pump parts so hand washing everything was a PITA, and with 2 under 2 I'm not gonna have time for that. I can't believe I did that the first time, sooo time consuming!
As for different nipple sizes, if you're breastfeeding they don't need to be changed to bigger sizes since mom's nipples don't change- at least this is what my son's pediatrician said so we never sized up on those.
Hey ladies. Might be a silly question but...just went to birthing class and the instructor talked about putting a play list together to help distract us from contractions during labor. Did any of you do this? If you did, was there any songs that you really enjoyed?
@bbeaman we didn’t. I didn’t care enough about it to be honest. I had the ID network on while I was pushing and made DH turn it off because I couldn’t deliver my child while watching Deadly Women. Haha.
I didn't want the tv on or music playing. I also kept telling DH to shut up because he wanted to be chatty. I never imagined I'd be like that. If you think you'd like it I'd put a variety of music on it because there is no way to know what you'll feel like hearing when you're in labor.
Did anyone do aromatherapy? My friend was just telling me that her doula diffused some essential oils during her labor and she didn't expect to like it as much as she did. If you did, what scent did you use?
@maueraa07 I didn't but can imagine that it would be nice and calming. Also, could be good to use now during a calm time or before bed so that it calms you down in a stressful time. I'll be a repeat c-section so I don't think I'll have the ability to do a playlist or essential oils but I think I'd like the EO's for the postpartum room since I'll be there for 3 days.
Oooooohhhh, I LOVE the idea of diffusing essential oils, @maueraa07! I may need to do that. I also didn't listen to any music during labor, but the whole thing was kind of a whirlwind, so that may be why! I don't feel like I even had time to think about music before I delivered. If I had a long labor I would probably like some music though.
I'm going to have hubby pack the Nintendo Switch in our hospital bag. Just in case. Even if I don't want it, he's too ADHD to sit in a room for a couple days with nothing to do. And if I have a long early labor like my friend did, we can play some Mario Kart or something while we wait.
I would check and see if your hospital has a policy on diffusing EOs - I feel like I've heard about places that don't allow it due to other people in nearby rooms getting sick or having allergies.
@bainidhedub That's a good point. I'm lucky that my hospital is pretty progressive and they encourage us to bring anything that reminds us of the "comforts of home." Plus my friend who used EOs delivered there.
Re: Questions for STM+ 10/11
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
@auntieraindrop, we had two boxers (and a cat) when DD1 was born. I definitely didn't love them any less, but they definitely didn't get as much attention as they were accustomed to. They both passed not long after DD2's arrival and we haven't gotten a new dog because of the guilt I felt regarding how much their lives changed once the girls came into our lives. The cat pretty much just tries to stay away from the girls.
@kelk5, I never bought specialized nursing shirts. I just wore a tank top under my shirt, so when I pulled my shirt up to nurse my stomach wasn't showing. I had nursing tanks and nursing bras, though I didn't usually wear the tank out of the house. They just didn't provide enough support for my preferences.
We're going the permanent BC route. Three is enough for us.
@missblaze , we're not told to skip fruits and vegetables because 1) they're nutritional and 2) washing it takes care of the listeria fear. We're told to skip lunch meat because while heating it kills listeria it still lacks any nutritional value whatsoever.
DD2 8.22.13
MMC 1.4.17 at 16w
Expecting #3, EDD 1.29.18
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
Together Let Us Seek the Heights
My current diaper bag is slowly falling apart, so I'm in the market for a new one. I know that I want a backpack (cross body and shoulder bags KILL my back), but I don't want it to look like a "school backpack" if that makes sense. I have been looking at the JuJuBe BFF backpack, but have heard mixed reviews. I like the shape/look of that one though (even though I don't love all of the prints). Anyways, what diaper bags do you all LOVE??
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
Edited: Like @supercoolstephy I mixed up the BRB and BFF too! oops!
DS2: Jan. 2016
DS3: Dec. 2017
Baby #4 on the way!
Haha...I seriously just "pinned" that bag about an hour ago, @burnsmommy27!
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
This is what I registered for. Hoping I made the right choice. It can be carried like a backpack.
We just received some bottles someone purchased from off our registry - yay! I'm kind of confused by the care instructions, so I googled it but still wanted to ask for extra clarification. Are you supposed to wash, and then sanitize, the bottles as two separate steps after each use? Meaning, if I were to wash the bottles by hand or in the dishwasher, do I then need to sterilize them with a bottle sterilizer or boiling water? Or is the second step moreso just before the initial use and then on a somewhat regular basis - or do you sterilize them every time?
The instructions also mentioned for best results to replace the nipples every two months. Do you find that this is accurate for you? I plan on breastfeeding and only using the bottles a couple days a week once I go back to work... I'm wondering if less usage will result in less wear and tear or if that's just the standard recommendation! Sorry if my wording is confusing, thanks for your help ladies!
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
@steph30032 For this LO we are planning on using the same bottles as DD but will be buying new nipples. The plastic wears down over time, so we'll replace them.
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
Eta: link to microwave bags
https://www.target.com/p/medela-5ct-quick-clean-micro-steam-sterilizing-bags/-/A-10953413
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
I had a Munchkin bottle brush with the sponge on top and it was way better than the generic grocery store one without. I also had to switch from my hippie dish soap to Blue Dawn to really feel like I was getting them clean. I didn't feel like the dishwasher did a very good job.
I'm a slacker on sterilizing DS's binks except when something happens to them. We had (and still have in storage) a ton of the smaller age ones - I was gonna reuse them for LO but this has reminded me that I should check them over first. I never really found that DS cracked the nipples until after he got teeth, and those got tossed when we noticed wear.
Jan 18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
As for different nipple sizes, if you're breastfeeding they don't need to be changed to bigger sizes since mom's nipples don't change- at least this is what my son's pediatrician said so we never sized up on those.
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
Did anyone do aromatherapy? My friend was just telling me that her doula diffused some essential oils during her labor and she didn't expect to like it as much as she did. If you did, what scent did you use?
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
I also didn't listen to any music during labor, but the whole thing was kind of a whirlwind, so that may be why! I don't feel like I even had time to think about music before I delivered. If I had a long labor I would probably like some music though.
Jan 18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies